Whether it's Usain Bolt trying to win the 100m, 200m and men's relay (all for the third Olympics in a row) or the return of Jessica Ennis-Hill, in a few days it will be almost impossible to avoid the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Rio 2016, formally known as the XXXI Olympiad, kicks-off on August 5 and runs for two whole sports-filled weeks. The closing ceremony takes place on August 21, before the Paralympics start on September 7.

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Before then, there's going to be thousands of hours of world class sport, world records tumbling and a healthy smattering of shattered dreams – the full schedule details every event across the two weeks.

With Brazil being four hours behind the UK (BST -4 / GMT -3), some of the best ways to catch-up with the games will be on the go using smartphones and tablets.

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Here's how to watch the games online, on your devices, TV, and in virtual reality.

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VR

For the first time, the Olympics is going to be available in virtual reality.

The BBC has announced its going to stream 100 hours of 360-degree video through a new app. By strapping on VR headsets that can hold a phone (Google Cardboard or the Samsung Gear VR, for example) users will be able to watch the games in a completely new way. It's the first time the BBC has broadcast live sport in the video format and it says the app is experimental. Sport fans will be able to watch everything from beach volleyball to athletics using the app.

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In the US, NBC has announced it will be showing 100 hours of virtual reality and 360 video programming using its new Sports app. Using the Samsung Gear and a Samsung phone users in the US will be able to watch VR programming the day after the event takes place.

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TV

The BBC has UK broadcasting for the Rio Olympics and the corporation will be covering more than 3,000 hours of the event.

BBC One and BBC Four will be the flagship channels for the games – with more than 550 hours being broadcast across both. The channels will be broadcasting Olympic coverage from 1pm until 4am each day throughout the games. As well as this, according to the Radio Times, the breakfast show will show highlights from the night before and BBC2 will show four hours of replays from the night before at 9.15am every day.

Online

The BBC's digital output (including the 'Red Button') will be far more comprehensive.

As with the London 2012 games, the corporation will be broadcasting 24 HD steams across its website and apps on mobile, tablet, desktop, connected TVs and games consoles. The Red Button will have eight live streams broadcasting from the games. There will also be radio broadcasts covering the games from the Radio 5 Live and Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.

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Google will also be on hand to help people wanting to catch-up with the Games. Search results will show key events, medal tables and results. The search giant will also be showing highlight videos in its results.

The official Olympics YouTube channel will also have a comprehensive daily round-up on the games. The channel, produced by the International Olympic Committee, is providing quick guides to the events for those not familiar with the finer details of the Pentathlon or Olympic Rugby. The Facebook and Twitter accounts of the Rio Games will also run highlights and updates.

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Apps

In terms of apps there's a ton of choice for both iOS and Android. There are two official apps: the Rio 2016 app and also the main Olympics (iOS / Android).

Steaming for mobile and tablet devices will be available across the 24 HD steams on the official BBC Olympics app. There will also be highlights, results and the ability to save stories for offline reading. The BBC Sport app also lets users customise what sports they're most interested in and receive relevant updates.